Eats

Saturday, March 17, promises to be the biggest day for Rooney’s Irish Pub since the establishment opened its doors in Old Town Orcutt nearly two years ago.  About 2,500 spirited partygoers patronized the pub last St. Patrick’s Day, when the holiday fell on a Thursday. “It’s a big party—lots of green funky hats, goofy shirts, […]

If you haven’t experienced Taste of Solvang in the two decades the event has attracted thousands of hungry (and thirsty) visitors, then you don’t know what you’re missing, so let me tell you. It’s more than aebleskivers (the traditional, sphere-shaped Danish pancakes), which are great, but Taste of Solvang has evolved into farm-fresh delicacies made […]

You’ve likely heard the old saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” but I’ve discovered what could be the next best thing: a free cooking class. The talented executive chef at Central City Market in Santa Maria is offering something that’s too good to pass up: complimentary cooking classes. The first class will […]

Visit the Qupé tasting room in Los Olivos and you’ll find a familial feast—a multitude of wines made by three different members of the Lindquist family: venerable vintner Bob Lindquist’s Qupe wines, his wife Louisa Sawyer Lindquist’s Verdad wines, and Bob’s son Ethan Lindquist’s wine label, appropriately named Ethan. Bob’s daughter Paige Lindquist runs the […]

Visit The Rock Seafood & Grill in Nipomo during the lunch or dinnertime rush and you may have to get in line—a line out the door. People like what owner Daniel Rivas is serving, and it’s not just seafood. God’s message is on the menu, too.   “Right when they walk in, they see ‘The […]

Since when is high maintenance considered sexy? When it’s pinot noir. Legendary California wine pioneer André Tchelistcheff, who mentored several Central Coast winemakers, is credited with saying, “God made cabernet sauvignon, whereas the Devil made pinot noir.” The diva of wine varieties, pinot noir demands extra attention during the grape-growing and winemaking process, but the […]

A few of life’s little luxuries are actually doing well in this sluggish economy. Alcohol sales are up, same with nail polish, and Americans are still screaming for ice cream.   “It’s definitely a comfort food,” said Greg Steinberger, owner of Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab in Arroyo Grande, and now Orcutt. “Ice cream has a […]

A new ray of sunshine is radiating from the old California town of Los Alamos. Her name is Sonja. Sonja Magdevski, of Malibu. The blonde beauty opened a charming wine tasting room in a prime location in downtown Los Alamos a month ago, and the townsfolk have lovingly taken her under their collective wing ever […]

If you eat out only one week this year, make it January 22 to 28. At least 16 restaurants will serve up the deal of the year during Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Week. To kick off 2012, local restaurants will offer three-course special tasting menus for just $20.12, delighting both taste buds and wallets. Here’s […]

The national spotlight is shining on a talented, young Santa Maria winemaker. Forbes magazine has selected 25-year-old Gavin Chanin for its first-ever “Top 30 Under 30” issue highlighting movers and shakers younger than 30. The group was described by the publication as tomorrow’s brightest stars. Chanin joins the likes of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and […]

A couple of years ago, I started a “dinner club” with three girlfriends: We met at a different restaurant every month for camaraderie and cuisine. It was an enjoyable way to try a variety of dining establishments, stay in touch with pals, and support the local restaurant industry. I had heard of other such groups, […]

If you usually just grab any bottle of mass-produced sparkling wine at the grocery store for your New Year’s Eve celebration, ring in 2012 by popping open a bottle of “bubbly” made closer to home instead. A surprising number of Central Coast wineries produce sparkling wine; all are available in nearby wine tasting rooms, and […]